White Quartz | Xaden Riorson | T/T

XXX

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     Every free hour of the rest of the week is spent combing through the books Jesinia sneaks to me in the corner hallway just outside of the Archives, trying to help her understand Lucerish a bit more, and comforting Sloane as she sobs over the letters Liam left her. It's a struggle to hold it together in front of her, but I'm glad there's one place she feels safe enough to cry in this stupid college.
     I manage to snag The Fables of the Barren from Violet's room one evening to let Jesinia borrow for a few nights, then sneak it back in on Thursday afternoon after winning another dagger. We'll be playing this tango a few times so Violet doesn't get suspicious, but every time I ask her if she wants to hang out, I feel bile at the back of my throat. If I was going to tell anyone anything, it'd be her, but that's also the exact reason I can't.

     Weapons class has finally gotten fun since we've been allowed to start target practice with the standard bow. Even more fun was watching Joyce tip her arrows with fire thanks to her signet and set a haybale ablaze. It kind of freaked the Matthews out, especially as we all cheered.
     Every time I miss a target, Imogen looks over at me, and I think she knows I'm missing on purpose. Bride is absolutely killing it beside me despite the dim lighting of the early Friday morning. Elva is asking the First Lieutenant when we'll be starting javlins so she can use one during Threshing that's just about two months away. While we don't graduate the class and get full access to the ranged weapons until mid-year in late December, they'd told us we could get permission to borrow a weapon we've had some training in for big events, like Threshing or Squad Battles if they take the class in the second semester.

     At breakfast and later, lunch, I'm teaching Sawyer a few signs and their accompanying symbols. He still seems dedicated to learning it, and now, thankfully, his motivation seems to be more culturally-centered than just to talk to a cute girl. Can't blame him for the sentiment, though; Jesinia is beautiful.
     Rhiannon has gotten the mail again, which thankfully includes a letter to me from Mira. In RSC, while Grady is bitching about us being egotistical bastards after we all failed the land nav course, and then talking about how to cook meals over a fire, I tune him out to read it.

     I love her sisterly advice about living life, and love even more the confirmation that she made Violet's vest. All it says about it is that she, "knows someone who's good with its material," and that she'd be able and willing to help me get one, too, but might need time to get the supplies. I'll make sure to tell Tairn once he wakes up.
     After RSC, with the rest of the evening open, I follow my dragon's lead and take a nap. Ridoc brings a meal to my door at a quarter-past-six like I'd asked him to, which I thank him for. Then I doze off again.

     I'm awake just before eleven, and the first thing I do is tell Tairn the good news. Then, I bathe and get dressed in my flight leathers quickly. I finish the last bit of packing my bag, eating the chunk of bread from dinner I'd left myself before a knock rings on the door. I bounce over to it and yank it open, only for my small, absentminded smile to fall.
     Varrish.
     The two henchmen are back at his sides, and I make sure to take a step back so there's no part of me sticking outside of the wards. I'd expected Bodhi like last time, but I suppose Varrish has beat him to it.